Clasp.



L. s. MURDUGK. j

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED. JUNE 2,1909.

937,841. Patented @enza-1909.

LUKE S. MURDOCK, OF MADEIRA, OHIO.

CLASP.

Application filed .Tune 2, 1909.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, LUKE S. MUnDook, a citizen of the United States,residing at Madeira, in the county of Hamilton and yState of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, .of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to clasps to be used inconnection with wires for securing or bundling together a plurality ofstrips or pieces of wood, or the like, for the purpose of shipment, orotherwise.

The object of my invention is tov provide a more economical simple,effective and convenient clasp for this purpose.

My invention consists in' stamping a clasp out of sheet metal adapted totake the two ends of a wire tie around a centrally elevated neck so thatthe strain of the wires in tying and handling the bundle will exert acondensing or squeezing force on the sheet metal tie rather than apulling and tearing force, thereby acquiring greatstrength with a smallamount of thin material, and means for securing or anchoring the freeends of the wire to prevent the tie becoming loosened.

My invention also consists in the peculiar construction and arrangementas herein set forth and claimed.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank from which my claspis formed. F ig. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp completely formed.Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of same. Fig. 4 is a slightlyperspective plan view showing the application of the wire. Fig. 5 is aperspective view showing my device in use. Fig. 6 is a rear elevationillustrating a modication of my invention. Fig. 7 is a perspective viewshowing another modified form in use.

I prefer to construct a clasp out of sheet metal having a base 1 and astaple 2 secured to the base 1 by a neck 3 at an angle thereto,

the base 1 engaging the end 4 of wire 5 through a cleft or punchedaperture 6, holding the end 4 while the wire 5 is passed around the neck3 in a loop 7 and over the end 8 to securely fasten the wire 5 to theclasp in readiness to apply to the bundle 9, after which the wire 5passing around the bundle 9 is again passed around the neck 3 from theopposite end 10 of the clasp and in the opposite direction and drawntight, forming a loop 11, a second loop 12 being Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1909.

Serial No. 499,708.

thrown around the neck 3 to obtain a more secure hold and the staple 2disposed at an angle to the neck, being' struck upon its upper edge 13with a hammer or like instrunient, bends or arches the neck at 14 aroundthe wire loops 7, 11 and 12, and brings its points 15 in perpendicularcontact with the bundle 9 whence the staple 2 is driven in, securelyanchoring the end 1G of the wire 5 and not allowing any slipping.

In bundling or tying together a number of pieces of wood, such asflooring and other lfinished products, it is desirable to bind themstrongly with as little expense as possible. By means of the peculiarconstruction and arrangement of my improved clasp I am enabled to uselight sheet metal of minimum size and strength, and yet make a tight,strong bundle. This is accomplished by forming the sheet met-al in theshape shown in the drawing, the base 1 being only of sufficient size toallow the forming of the staple 2 and neck 3 by incisions 17 from itsside and yet leaving sufficient metal in the remaining part of the base1 to be stronger than the neck 3, so that after the tie is made and whenthe staple 2 is driven into the bundle or package 9, the neck 3 willbend or arch and the base 1 will not bend but stay in shape. The neck 3being of thin material is easily bent in driving down the staple 2, buton account of its position taking the strain of the wire 5 its wide wayat 14 against the edges 18 of the metal and its being only a centersupport between the wire loops T and 11, the strain tends to condensethe steel and not to break it, giving the neck increased supportingstrength so that it cannot be torn or damaged either in the tying of thebundle or the rough handling in shipping.

The clasp is a metal blank having upon its upper side the integrallyformed staple 2 with downwardly extending points 15, and having the neck3 transversely concaved or bent on its under side at 14 to insure properand accurate bending downwardly to allow the points to enter the bundle9 at right angles to its surface. The integrally formed neck 3 projectsupwardly from the base 1, preferably at an angle of about v90" at19, andthe staple 2 projecting upwardly from the neck, preferably at an angleof about at 14, permitting the ready and convenient passage ofthe wire 5around the neck 8 and beneath the points 15 ofthe staple 2 forming loops7, l1 and l2 prior to the engagement of tlle points 15 of the staple '2with the bunc e 9.

Vhen it is desired to strap a bundle of wood, take one of the clasps,insert one end of a wire in the recess or aperture 6 between the neckand one end 8 of the base allowing the end 4 of the wire to extendbeneath the latter, then draw the wire across the upper side and oncearound the neck and over end S of the base, place the clasp upon one ofthe outer strips of the bundle, draw the wire tight around the bundleand wrap the other end of the wire over end l() of the base around theneck in the opposite direction from the first winding, and therebyeffect a firm and. secure tying of the bundle. The staple is thenpreferably driven into the bundle by means of a hammer or other tool toprevent the end 1G of the wire from slippingl or shifting.

When it is desired to strap a bundle wherein it would be injurious todrive in the points of the staple the clasp is made as shown in Fig. 6,of a sheet metal base with its side cleft to form a Winged head elevatedupon a neck from adjacent the center of its base at an angle thereto. Inthe use of this form, the wire is attached and passed around the neck aspreviously described, passed around the bundle and again around the neckin the opposite direction, as previously described, after which thewinged head is bent by pressureback into substantially the same plane asthe base, the wings l5 clamping against the side portion 17 of the basefrom which they were originally cleft.

When it is desired to strap a bundle of Wood or like material, such aslath, in which the pieces are not set squarely together but made into aloose round bundle 9', the clasp is inade with the points 20 adjacentthe center of the base l caused from .clefting the winged neck from thebase turned down at preferably right angles to the base. In the use ofthis form, the wire is attached and passed around the neck, aspreviously described. The clasp is set upon one of the outer strips ofthe bundle, pressed` firmly into position, the Wire passed around thebundle and again around the neck, as pre"- viously described. The points20, when bent as shown in Fig. 7, are easily pressed into the strip andprevent the slipping of the clasp in pulling the wire tight. After thetie is made the staple head is driven into the bundle as .previouslydescribed.

I claim:

l. A clasp constructed of a sheet metal plate cleft from its side towardits center so as to forin an elevated winged neck, the wings being benttoward each other and inclined toward the late forming a staple.

2. An article o manufacture comprising a clasp constructed of a sheetmetal plate punched with two openings at a distance from each otherlengthwise of the plate adjacent its center, incisions diverging fromthe inner edges of the center openings to one side of the plate, therebyforming a Winged neck elevated from the plate With its head inclined atan angle to the plate 4and its wings bent parallel to each other to forma staple with its points projecting at an inclination toward the plate.

'LUKE S. MURDOCK.

Witnesses:

JAMES N. RAMSEY, FLORENCE HAMMEL.

